Tomorrow is the day. We either buy the CX-9 or stop obsessing about it.
Can someone explain how Bluetooth works to me? Can everyone in the car hear the conversation, I assume?
Big question. I will try a shorter answer.
For phone call, your cell phone needs to support BT. The CX9 acts as a headset. The voice comes out of left speaker on driver's door (only). The microphone is located near ceiling light. Your phone needs to be paired with the CX9 only once. Once done, and you have BT activated on your phone (consume some power, 'mind you), everytime you enter CX9 and start up the power, the CX9's BT connects with your cell phone's BT within a couple seconds. To place a call, you can dial through voice after pushing a button on the steering wheel. The phone book entries need to be entered before. (this could be a pain). I wonder if later model supports better phone book transfer. For older model, we have to enter one by one. Or, you can simply pick up the phone, and dial on the cell phone. To receive a call, the CX9-BT will inform you of a call arriving. Just push a button on the steering wheel to commence the dialogue. At the end, push the same button to hang it up.
Most cell phones should work on CX9's BT if not all.
The newer CX9 (some model) supports A2DP that allows stream audio from your cell phone (which needs to support A2DP as well). This enables wireless music playing from your phone's MP3 player to the CX9's speakers (more than one, of course). A2DP basically establish TWO connections, one for L channel, and one for R channel. This enables stereo music.
And, for those that have the Roof Rails (not rack), are they noisy? Do they add to the exterior? We have not seen one in person with them, and I am trying to decide if they should be added. The exterior will be black, and I don't know what to do since the rails are black, too.
IMHO, yes. CX9 looks better with some roofrails. Otherwise, it looks like a minivan to my wife.... Go to the dealer's lot and decide for yourself. If you don't like black roofrail, you can always paint them silver... I have seen people did that.
Finally, road noise. Is it a big problem? My brother, a mechanic for Ford (not Mazda) says CX-9s are notorious for being very noisy. I do not want a vehicle that will drive me nuts.
But, I'm not sure he knows what he's talking about either.
Thanks so much!
Noises are tire-induced in the case of CX9. I sat in a Flex ona short trip. I don't feel certainly which one is quieter. In my case, I have new SpecX from Yokohama. They are definitely quieter than the OE tires, though. In either case, the CX9 beat my old Odyssey handsdown in term of road noises.
Usually Honda are pretty noises. They always try to save money on insulation.
You should take a test-drive and decide for yourself. You are the one paying for it. (2thumbs)
